jerseyboy wrote:
Yes that was very helpful thank you. Although I was pretty set on running a marathon you raise a good point. However I believe that if I only ran one marathon per year I would still have enough time throughout the rest of the year to develop my speed and race shorter distances during track season.
Also, which distance(s) would you recommend me working on? Sorry for all the questions but I do not have a coach as I live on a very small island with limited expertise in mid-distance/distance running!
Ideally, each season build up is 5-6 months. You take 2 weeks off after end of a season, take 3-4 weeks to build mileage. Do base for about 2 months, then start speed work and racing then eventually a 2 week taper and your peak race.
Following that guideline, you have 2 seasons a year. Ideally, one season is focused on 800/1500m training as it develops speed. The other season is focused on 5k, which develops strength and endurance. Speed and strength compliment each other making you a great runner and maximizing your potential.
When you're a lot older(mid 20s or early 30s), the rule is a little different for marathoners. The Hansons Distance Project follow's the 3/2 rule. In other words, 3 marathons every 2 years. Since you have 2 seasons a year, 2 years means 4 seasons. Of those 4 seasons 3 are marathons, 1 is 10k training. The idea is that as a marathoner that should be just enough to keep you from losing your speed. But I'm not sure how accurate that is. I like Ryan Vails approach better, each year 1 season he does marathon and the other he does 10k.